President’s Obama is a self-proclaimed man of vision. Apparently, his personal history convinced him — and many others — that he possesses unique insight into American society, and the ability to correct the injustices he sees there. Obama’s persuasive speeches and appealing public image made him a plausible candidate for president. A majority of voters believed in his potential, and twice elected him president.

He was acclaimed as a clairvoyant, destined to bring forth a new era of harmony and progress. Believing him to possess extraordinary aptitude, the Nobel committee awarded him the peace prize in anticipation future heroic accomplishments.

It might seem to be a good thing for the country to have a president who is a visionary. He or she could use their foresight to avoid otherwise unexpected troubles and crises. Regrettably, visions are only mental images, not reality. Visionaries do not see into the future; what they see is an imaginary picture, devoid of substance

Visionaries have absolute faith in the assumptions that underlie their visions. Their delusion enables them to disregard the lessons of history and existing real-world conditions. They believe their superior intellect empowers them to shape the world to their preferred design. Most delusional of all, visionaries imagine they are destined to mold a more conformist human nature.

Most visionaries claim their plans will benefit the “common man.” They assume citizens will peacefully accept irrational economic schemes and calmly submit to deprivation of their liberties. Other visionaries, such as communists, realize there will be strong resistance to their intentions and do not hesitate to use coercion, threats, and if necessary, deadly force.

Attempts to impose major social or political changes, such as: the “Glorious Revolution”; the Paris commune; Communist revolutions; the “war to end all wars”; the Third Reich and the League of Nations; all fail, often leaving massive death and destruction. Despite such disasters, an endless number of mindless utopian proposals are incubating in our universities.

Massive domestic programs fare no better: Prohibition, the Great Society, war on poverty, war on drugs, price controls and federal education programs were all grand plans negated by reality. Progressive political goals such as income equality, green energy and comprehensive immigration reform are all similarly predestined to oblivion.

Obama has visionary plans to radically change America. We shouldn’t be surprised; he warned us of his intent to fundamentally transform the nation. But, we failed to realize that his “transformation” consisted of abandoning constitutional government in favor of “Obama executive actions.”

As expected, Obama has fashioned a very left-leaning administration and demeans opponents at every opportunity. But, he seems oddly detached from actively supporting many leftist goals. Instead, it appears Obama’s primary interest is in shaping the historical image of his presidency.

Obama’s high self-esteem is evident from his larger-than-life public image — a mythical portrait of pre-eminence endlessly augmented a worshipful media. He is, after all, the “one we have been waiting for.” He loves public displays — so long as he is the center of attention. His sarcastic tone and often condescending demeanor imply enormous self-importance. He seems to prefer providing for his own entertainment and recreation to tending to the needs of the nation.

The “Obamazation” of America will not succeed, but as it fails, it threatens to corrupt our constitutional principles, and extinguish our individual freedoms.

Fortunately, our founders did not suffer from delusions. They were educated and practical men of experience. They were fully aware of the difficulties attendant to founding of a new nation of independent citizens. Knowing that ideals or words on paper would not change human nature, they designed our Constitution to help us withstand the impulses of tyrants, charlatans and self-aggrandizing political visionaries.

Retired Air Force officer Rod Paramoure of east Cobb writes on current events from a historical perspective.

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